by Kim McElroy, Owner, Broken Horn D Ranch
Broken Horn D Ranch is located in Prescott, Arizona. Dave Pawel and Kim McElroy raise Corriente cattle and produce 100 percent grass fed Criollo beef on more than 4,000 acres. All of the beef comes from animals born and raised on the ranch, spending their days in pastures grazing on native grasses and browsing in the irrigated pasture. After calves are weaned at eight months of age, they spend the next year-and-a-half growing to market weight. Cattle are handled quietly from horseback and are processed locally at Perkinsville Processing in Chino Valley, an Arizona Department of Agriculture-inspected slaughter facility.
Criollo beef comes from cattle of Spanish origin. These cattle are especially well adapted to the hot, arid Arizona climate. They are vigorous breeders and are known for their ability to “utilize the country” as well as all available forages. Criollo cattle are a smaller animal than the traditional English beef breeds and are typically slaughtered at 800 pounds. Their muscle fibers are fine, like buffalo or elk, making the meat tender and incredibly flavorful. Because they are grass fed, the beef is not only good tasting, but good for you as well! Grass fed beef is higher in protein and lower in fat and cholesterol than grain finished beef.
All Broken Horn D Ranch, Criollo beef meets the USDA Standards for grass fed, no hormones, no antibiotics and no animal by products ever for the life of the animal, as independently verified by TechniTrack, LLC. McElroy is also a Beef Quality Assurance (BQA) Certified Producer, further verifying the ranch operates by the highest industry standards for humane handling and care of cattle. Pawel and McElroy are passionate about their cattle (and horses), and being good stewards of the land. They feel truly blessed to be able to live their dream while providing friends and neighbors with healthy and delicious food.
A new product offering in 2017 is Brewer’s Grain/Grass Fed Criollo Beef. Brewers’ grains are spent barley and hops from the brewing of beer. Brewer’s grains are a great source of protein, TDN, minerals and vitamins. They are metabolized by cattle like forage, and do not have the negative effects on the rumen that uncooked grain has. The BHD Ranch uses the spent brewer’s grains from Prescott Brewing Company to supplement the pasture diet of some of their cattle. The meat from these animals is a healthy alternative to grain finished beef.
Broken Horn D Ranch Criollo Beef is available in individual cuts such as steaks, roasts and ground beef. Purchases can be made at the Prescott Farmer’s Market 7:30 a.m. to noon every Saturday at Yavapai College; Prescott Valley 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. every Tuesday in the Harkins Theater parking lot and Chino Valley at Olsen’s Grain 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Thursdays. Whole and half animals are available for custom processing. Contact the ranch at 928-708-9385 or www.BHDRanch.com.